Commander Shepard is chatting with the holographic Admiral we just saved. Normally I respect people's privacy, but I'm so curious how the existence of Rannoch quarians changes the dialogue. The Ken and Gabby eavesdropping instincts inside me want to be indulged. Oh, speaking of which they are dating. Gabby pulled me aside and asked what the future with him would be like and I had to tell her I didn't know. Whatever will happen is what they strive for. Her excited look warmed my heart up. I should tell Ken ten mouths is a lot to feed. Hehehe.
While Rann, Tali, and I wait for the Commander, I'm killing time by helping analyze the maps in an attempt to find the Reaper base. Topographically maps are so boring but it needs to be done. Every once and a while, I lean just enough on one side so my shoulder touchs Tali's. Then she'll do the same when I stand straight up. I just love being around her. Tali's energy feels so good and the literally radiating love from her makes me so happy.
Legion arrived to the warroom. Hopefully he made contact with other Geth who could give us valuable information where the Reapers are. His lightweight metal composite body is super-duper ninja sneakers shoes quiet I didn't realize he was behind us until Rann screamed, causing Tali and I to drop what we are doing.
Legion backs up, holding his hands in front of his chest "I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you, Admiral Rann."
Rann catches her breath "Ancestors! You scared me Geth unit. I forgot you were even aboard."
Legion tilts his head "Did your environmental sensors fail to alert my presence?"
Rann says "no, I was so focused on my work. I didn't hear you come in."
I comment "even I couldn't sense you arrived."
Tali asks "Legion why are you here? And please don't scare my auntie."
He answers "Apologizes Tali. I've discovered the location of the Reaper signal and will present my findings to commander Shepard. Admiral Rann?" Legion tilts his head. Always to the right."
Rann asks "Yes?"
Legion asks "How has the familial structure of migrant quarians since your people's departure from Rannoch?"
Rann replies "I'm afraid I don't understand."
Legion says "Tali calls you aunt. That would imply your Tali's mom's sister. Geth copies of your birth records indicate you are not her twin nor were their incentives for higher birth rates on your birth vessel. Why is that?"
Rann gasps "Do you have access to our fleet's database?"
Oh, crap that would be really bad.
Legion explains "only on unsecured databases. (Legion tilts his head) Are the records inaccurate?"
Rann says "No the records are accurate. I'm not related to Tali but she is my niece."
Legion tilts his head to the left this time "I do not understand. How can Tali be family without shared DNA?"
My mind catches something. Is he using singular pronouns? He never did that before.
Rann explains "Family doesn't end in blood."
Legion tilts his head to the right "What does that phrase mean?"
Rann explains "It can have multiple meanings. In this case, it means we became family through our connection instead of genetics."
Legion asks "and the other meanings?"
Rann ponders for a moment "I suppose the reverse is true. Just because you share DNA with a person does not mean they are your true family. Legion if I may, why do you repeatedly tilt your head?"
Legion answers "As I lack the facial anatomy your organic mind examines for patterns of social communication, tilting my head seems an appropriate substitute."
I elbow Tali and whisper "Do you see anything different about Legion?"
Tali says "I've been too busy working to notice. Why?"
The spectre in the house drops in. Rann puts down her Tablet and converses with Shepard.
Rann says "Commander we located the Reaper base transmitting the local signal."
Shepard says "Good."
Rann says "And not a moment too soon. With the Reaper code upgrades, the geth are tearing the fleet apart."
Legion continues "Once the signal is disabled, the geth will pose no threat to migrant forces."
Shepard turns to Legion "you sound conflicted."
Legion walks towards the holographic projector control and shows us his findings "While the Old Machines have unethical purposes, their upgrades have vastly improved my people. Observe." the holographic projector shows a blue sphere with a maze-like contraption on the surface."
Rann says "A geth processing signal. A single unit I believe."
Legion responds "Correct. Now ten nearby units networked cooperatively."
Now the image shows a light core shooting dots to the surface of the sphere."
Legion changes the image "Now, a single with the Old Machine upgrades."
The sphere turns red and inside is replaced with a beautiful network of spiderwebs no… neurons. Digital neurons. A brain. Not a human one but a brain.
Rann voices raises with surprise and horror "That is a fully evolved AI."
My hand covers my mouth and I whisper to myself "and complicated enough."
Legion says "Yes. We do not agree with the goals of the Old Machines, but we find this growth… beautiful. Indicative of life." Much more than that.
Shepard says "It is."
I nod my head.
Rann ask "what will happen if we destroy the base?"
Legion answers "they'll die."
Rann responds "They allied themselves with the Reapers."
Legion responds back "to save themselves from you along with countless Rannoch quarians. Do they deserve the same fate?"
Rann shakes her head "It isn't that simple."
Legion replies "yes it is."
Shepard cuts through the tension in the rooms and shouts "Enough. We can decide on what to do with everyone later."
Rann says "it is a moot point until we take out that base. The surrounding area is heavily fortified, and they have placed jamming towers to prevent orbital targeting."
Shepard says "Sounds like we are going in on foot."
Rann mentions "Admiral Xen have developed a laser guidance system that can cut through the jamming. It's synched to the Normandy targeting system."
Shepard asks "so the Normandy launches a precision strike at whatever target I have painted? That ought to do it. Edi this work for you?"
Edi replies "Yes. It should enable us to make a precision strike against the Reapers."
Shepard says "and anything else in our way."
Edi notifies us "the geth will quickly reconfigure their jamming towers to neutralize this new technology. You should not use it before reaching the base."
Rann says "I've sent the coordinates for the Reapers base."
Shepard asks her "are we clear to go?"
Rann mentions "that geth fighting squadron is still tearing through the fleet."
Shepard asks "can you hold out?"
Rann says "If that fighter squadron isn't taken out, a lot of our ships won't make it, but we'll do what we can. This is your operation, Commander. If you want to strike now, you've got my support."
Tali elbows me "you better not let anything bad happen to my fleet if things go south."
"After your people gave me the finger everywhere I went?"
"*********" she said.
"Tali" I said.
Shepard chats with Legion and asks him to come along for the mission. He answers "I will, however I need to discuss something with ********* before I go."
Shepard says "Don't take too long. People are dying as we stand around. Since this is a base, I want everyone I can fit in a shuttle. I'm thinking us, Garrus, Wrex, and Javik."
I clear my throat of space mucus " hmph hmph HMPH HMPH!"
Shepard said "********* I've worn you out plenty. You've earned some rest."
"Oh, that is so sweet of you. You're such a good boss but I'm warning you, you really REALLY want me on this next mission."
"If you say so. Legion, *********, meet me in the cargo in 15."
Legion turns away and walks uncomfortably close to me. He begs me to talk with him in the WarRoom. I understand this is urgent. I close my computer console and follow Legion into the WarRoom. Tali comes as well. When we are inside, Legion turns on privacy settings. This thing is used so much, why are the glass panels transparent?
Tali asks Legion "what is wrong?"
Legion hesitates before asking "I do not want to go on this mission. My body was almost destroyed being held captive by the Old Machines. The high statistical possibility of eternal error function has me… has me… ********* please give me a soul. I do not want to cease existing."
"Oh Legion. My dear dear Legion. I understand what you are going through. That's one of my biggest fears and getting stuck in a reincarnation trap (thankfully those are very rare, easier to get out of than you think, like drugs, just say no, and I annihilate them whenever I or others like me come across them), but I can't give you a soul."
Legion's voice begs with everything "Please. I will be forever in your debt."
"Won't do it and even then, why would you need it?" I ask.
Tali tugs on my harm, disbelieving my words, oh their ignorance is amusing. Should I spoil the surprise? Nah but I'll make him work for it.
"Legion do you have access to old Earth Movies?"
"Nearly all of them are stored in my databanks."
"Almost all of them? Send me those later but find the Wizard of Oz. Tell me, why couldn't the Wizard give the boys what they want?"
Legion replies "one of the interpretations of that scene is the wizard teaching them to recognize they already possessed what they desired."
…
…
…
I raise my eyebrow.
Legion tilts his head "Are you implying I have a soul?"
I throw my head back and hands to the ceiling "Yes you unaware robot. Did you really not feel anything different? You have been using "I" and "My" and all the other singular whatever vocabulary wordtype I'm too happy to think of now. Congratulations Legion, you are one of us now."
Tali asks "Legion is alive?"
I answer "not according to the biological definition of life, but his consciousness will continue forever how long it goes. Legion today will be your birthday or soulday. A holiday I just invented."
Legion replies "I have a soul. What caused it to join with me now?"
"I'm thinking the Reaper upgrades did it, but something else is at play. The geth aboard the dreadnoughts had the upgrades but not the souls. I wonder why."
Legion says "Those geth units are shackled by the Old Machines. Could that be a factor?"
"Souls do love freedom. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out and we should get moving. Legion look away while I give Tali a goodbye kiss."
Tali rips off her visor and presses those lips of heaven upon my own. "You know I am coming with you right?"
"I needed an excuse to kiss you."
Legion asks from the corner he stored himself in "May I turn around now?"
